Resolutions for a Green New Year

New Year's resolutions are annual commitments we make that are usually beneficial to our health or lifestyle. This year, why not make a resolution that also benefits our planet?

One Million Acts of Green has suggestions for New Year s resolutions Canadians can make that, when added up, make a big difference.

1. Use A Stainless Steel Water Bottle and Refillable Coffee Cup Styrofoam cups can end up in landfills and take approximately 20, 000 years to degrade. Paper cups can add toxic chemicals to the environment and contribute to deforestation. A refillable cup or bottle is the better choice.
   
2. Eat a Vegetarian Meal once a Week
   A vegetarian meal requires significantly less greenhouse gas emissions to produce, and is a healthy alternative to add to your diet.
   
3. Drink Tap Water Instead of Bottled Water Between making the bottle and transporting the water from its source, a lot of energy and chemicals are needed to get that bottled water to you.
   Drinking water from the tap is better for the environment and better for your wallet.
   
4. Walk or Bike to Work Instead of Driving Not only will you save money and get some exercise, you will help reduce car emissions.
   
5. Reduce your Printing at work
   At home or the office, you can reduce the amount of waste by printing on both sides of the paper, or not printing at all.
   
   For more adventurous Canadians, One Million Acts of Green has acts that change more than a habit. Here are some ideas for larger projects to help the earth throughout the year
   
6. Use Rain Barrels to Water your Garden Using a rain barrel reduces the amount of water entering water treatment plants and helps reduce your water bill by cutting down on usage.
   
7. Replace and Recycle Old Appliances With ENERGY STAR Appliances Depending on the product, ENERGY STAR rated appliances are 10 to 50 per cent more efficient than conventional models and efficiency adds up to savings on your electricity bill.
   
8. Insulate the Basement or Attic
   Upgrading the attic and wall insulation can prevent heat and cold penetration into and out of your home, and can produce savings of 5 to 10 per cent on your bills.
   
9. Retire Your Old Gas Powered Lawnmower for a Push Mower Cutting the grass for an hour with a gas powered lawnmower creates about the same amount of air pollution as a 160 kilometre car ride. Best of all, using a push mower is great exercise.
   
10. Install A Water-Efficient Toilet
    Conventional toilets can use as much as 23 litres of water per flush.
    Switching to a low-flow toilet can save you between $50 and $100 each year on your water bill.